Fulcrum Utility Services... Share Discussion Threads

[zeppo] 24/9/2012 20:50

There should be an RNS tomorrow morning so that those not attending the AGM are not disadvantaged.

I am attending the 2.00pm AGM butam staying on in London into the evening and may not be able to add my impressions on this site until Wednesday.

By then the picture will have changed.


z

[ygor705] 24/9/2012 19:02

Yes....its got all the hallmarks of somebody knowing something. Selling has been too persistent to suggest something positive. That all said, 10 institutions hold notifiable interests totalling c.80% of the equity here so it could just be that one of them either needs the cash or has had a falling out with the management. I also hear that Turriff are Scottish sub-contractors to Fulcum and that their parent May Gurney has lost a fair bit of work north of the border recently. Time will tell.

[zeppo] 24/9/2012 18:21

Big deal after normal trading time.

Something's up.

Will it be good or bad?


z

[edale] 24/9/2012 17:37

I've also bought in a couple of times in recent weeks only to see the share price dive without any negative news and on very low turnover. Hopefully we may get a pre AGM statement tomorrow but there wasn't one last year. A 2 million share sale right at the end of the day so maybe any news won't be good.

[ygor705] 21/9/2012 08:33

Bought a few yesterday in front of the AGM on Tuesday. Fallen quite a bit on no news at all. Suspect the MMs might push this one up quite sharply if anything positive breaks next week. Was cashflow positive for the final quarter of the most recent financial year so is a good candidate for crossing the line into positive earnings in 12/13.

[serratia] 04/9/2012 20:49

Just looked at the annual report.As well as granting themselves the large options noted earlier I noticed their salary increases.John Spellman's salary (CEO)increased 44%,so who is on the renumeration committee? There is one independent non-exec Stephen Gutteridge.His salary rose 36%.
Have they no shame?

[zeppo] 30/8/2012 12:01

Looking forward to the AGM, 25th September.

z

[edale] 29/8/2012 19:56

Utility connections company Fulcrum has again secured its place among over 300 British businesses that have been independently assessed as leading the way in terms of service to customers.

Fulcrum underwent a detailed inspection by awarding body Customer First UK, custodians of the National Standard for Customer Service, which examined the customer focus of every aspect of the company's systems and culture.

"Since Fulcrum was first assessed in 2010, the company has been through a great deal of internal change including new ownership, re-organisation and re-location so a dip in performance might have been expected - but the opposite is true. Fulcrum passed 30 key customer performance measures with flying colours," said Customer First UK spokesman Vicky O'Connor.

Fulcrum now retains its listing alongside 300 other organisations that have undergone Putting The Customer First assessment since it was founded in 2004, including The Prince's Trust, Skipton Building Society and The London School of Economics.

"Fulcrum was the first utilities connection specialist to achieve the National Standard for Customer Service and we are delighted to have retained our listing," said Fulcrum Sales and Marketing Director Richard Atkinson. "But we're not complacent and we're now pushing for even higher performance levels in terms of customer satisfaction.;

"Some of those changes, such as the ability to request a quote through our website and take advantage of multi-utility connection services, are already in place. We expect customer satisfaction levels to rise higher still as efforts to reframe all our services around making life easier for clients slot into place over coming months."

[edale] 08/8/2012 21:13

News item 7th Aug :-

Leading UK gas infrastructure and connections company Fulcrum has been appointed to design and install a three-kilometre pipeline to supply gas to the latest Center Parcs holiday village being built at Woburn, Bedfordshire.

The new pipeline will link the national gas network to a central environmentally friendly energy facility at Center Parcs' new £250million, 360-acre Woburn Forest site near junction 13 of the M1 - the fifth Center Parcs to open in the UK.


The new installation will supply natural gas to an energy centre that includes combined heat and power units (CHP) and a central biomass heat generator, providing energy for the indoor pool and leisure facilities, 625 lodges, a luxury hotel, self-contained spa suites and retail outlets. The gas supply will also support hotel laundry facilities and cooking in the many restaurants.

"This is a forest area so consideration of the landscape and protecting the environment during installation will be just as high on our priority list as a safe and efficient gas supply," said Fulcrum's Sales and Marketing Director, Richard Atkinson.


Fulcrum was selected for the six-figure pipeline design and installation contract by building services design company Cunnington Clark. Fulcrum is now working closely with civil and structural engineers Hannah Reed who have undertaken much of the infrastructure design for Center Parcs Woburn Forest.


"Protection of the environment has always been a fundamental guiding principle for Center Parcs when constructing a new site and Woburn Forest will be no exception. Center Parcs has agreed to a sustainability strategy with the local authority and as such Fulcrum will be providing us with a safe, natural gas connection to support Woburn Forest.", said Center Parcs Woburn Construction Director Don Camilleri.


The pipeline will consist of a 180-250mm diameter polyethylene main supplemented with 180mm diameter service pipework, over seven times the diameter of domestic gas pipes, with kiosk and meter. The 14 week installation is expected to commence before September and projected to complete late 2012.


The new works for Center Parcs Woburn Forest are taking place only 20 miles from another significant Fulcrum installation in Aylesbury where the company is providing gas pipeline design and gas infrastructure works for a new £150million "super dairy" for Arla Foods.

[edale] 26/7/2012 21:10

News item 26th July :-

Fulcrum is to showcase its new Heavy Fuel Conversion service at The Energy Event at the Birmingham NEC in September.

Fulcrum will be spotlighting its new Heavy Fuel Conversion service, that can cut an energy bill by c.30% or more during its first-ever appearance at the event.

Fulcrum's stand at the exhibition, which runs over September 11-12, will include videos of recent connections along with interactive information tablets and company service literature.

[edale] 26/7/2012 21:07

News item from 16th July :-

Leading independent utilities company Fulcrum, the only connections business of its kind with nationwide coverage, is to showcase new services during its first-ever appearance at The Energy Event at the Birmingham NEC in September.

Fulcrum will be spotlighting its Multi-Utility connections service alongside new, free gas pipework Inspection and Maintenance "MOT" checks.

"Fulcrum has come a long way in the two years since it severed ties with National Grid," said Fulcrum Sales and Marketing Director Richard Atkinson.

"As the UK's definitive exhibition for energy professionals, we will be using The Energy Event as a reminder that we are no longer simply a gas connections company and now offer a wide and varied range of truly customer-focused energy solutions that meet the needs of today's market in a flexible and cost effective way."

Fulcrum's stand at the exhibition, which runs over September 11-12, will include videos of recent connections along with interactive information tablets and company service literature.

"The key thing for us is the chance to talk with, and listen to, both existing customers and new contacts," said Richard. "Our business development team will be on hand for all those who want to discover the benefits that choosing Fulcrum now offers."

Additional information:
•See Fulcrum on Stand F40 in the Hall 7-8 area of the NEC on September 11th and 12th
•Entry to The Energy Event 2012 is free for visitors who pre-register at www.theenergyevent.com prior to arrival. Normal entrance fee is £30.

[edale] 26/7/2012 21:03

News item 18th July :-

Energy solutions specialist Fulcrum is launching a free gas outlet pipework safety check for past industrial, commercial and public sector customers to support them in complying with safety standards.

The "pipework MOT" is designed to provide professional support to Health & Safety Officers and Maintenance Management staff in ensuring their company is meeting IGEM (Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers) UP/2 (Inspection and Maintenance) Standard guidelines by checking the soundness of gas outlet pipework (pipework between the gas meter and relevant gas appliances) at least every five years.

Under the safety standard, outlet gas pipework should be inspected to make certain it has not been compromised over time by, for example, corrosion, recently-added building extensions, building layout-changes, additional pipework or simple neglect. Fulcrum's pipeline check will help companies avoid any potential for sudden disruption of their business due to gas pipeline condition issues and provides an opportunity for pre-emptive identification of anything that could lead to a more serious health and safety incident.

Fulcrum is inviting more than 400 customers who had gas connections undertaken in 2006-7 to take advantage of the free preventative maintenance check - even if their outlet pipework was already in existence or newly-installed by other contractors at the time.

In an ongoing rolling programme, customers who had gas connections installed by Fulcrum in 2008 will receive a similar invitation in 2013 with invites to more recent clients thereafter.

The free scheme applies to all business and public sector properties with significant gas energy consumption - typically leisure and retail facilities, manufacturers, public sector sites such as hospitals and colleges or any business/infrastructure that has large scale gas outlet pipework,

"This new service underlines our ongoing commitment to meeting customer needs and providing customers with added value - in this case, the peace of mind that they are operating a safe, well maintained business environment for their customers, visitors and staff or an expert view on the steps necessary to make it so," said Fulcrum's Associate Director of Operations, Ian Foster.

"The consequences of substandard outlet pipework can pose a significant risk to both the safety of people in and around the relevant pipework area and damage overall business continuity and reputation. Through our new free pipework check, we are now providing past customers across England, Scotland and Wales with cost-free access to experienced Gas Safe engineers who will conduct a thorough inspection and produce a report indicating if any remedial action is needed

[serratia] 22/5/2012 23:29

Sounds like a case for ShareSoc.

[serratia] 20/5/2012 11:13

Approved vs unapproved relates to tax considerations.Also noted "no performance criteria attached to the awards".How do they get away with it ?

[serratia] 13/4/2012 15:14

I've been watching these but just noted they've given themselves 4.1% of the company as options at todays price! It's this sort of behaviour that keeps me away.
Anyone know the difference between approved and unapproved options?

[brownie69] 04/4/2012 19:51

Just dipped a toe in here. Hard to buy today 20.5p

[regina124] 07/10/2011 11:46

Incredible- A move at last.

Does anyone know when is the next update,please.

[zeppo] 11/7/2011 18:23

Rotherham Business News

Monday 11th July

News: Fulcrum turnaround continues

Fulcrum Utility Services Limited, the Rotherham based energy solutions company, has announced its preliminary results for the period since it was created in a takeover in July 2010.

Fulcrum posted a loss before tax over a 16 month period of £11.8m with revenues of £28.4m. On a proforma basis revenue was £36.1m, an increase of £2.4 million. The board stated that this performance was broadly in line with their expectations.

Marwyn Capital acquired Fulcrum Group Holdings Limited, an independent gas transporter and provider of unregulated gas connection services from National Grid plc for a nominal consideration of £10. The group also raised approximately £11m through a share issue to fund the takeover, provide working capital and finance the proposed turnaround strategy.

The reverse takeover saw an experienced new management team brought in to turnaround loss-making operations and re-establish the business as a market leader.

Following completion, the management launched a series of initiatives aimed at improving the operational efficiency of the business, including a comprehensive appraisal of business processes, systems and contract profitability. The management also held a number of meetings with key suppliers and customers in order to reinforce existing relationships and develop new business opportunities.

A restructuring saw the company's Edinburgh office close and the Rotherham facility on Greasborugh Road become the headquarters. The rationalisation of the Rotherham head office will culminate in moving to smaller premises over the summer months.

John Spellman, CEO of Fulcrum, said: "The 2011 financial year has been one of huge transformation for the Fulcrum group. We acquired Fulcrum in July 2010 as a business with great potential but burdened by an inefficient cost base and operating model.

"Our plans for delivering a turnaround strategy centred on the appointment of a new senior management team, improved operational efficiency and growth in market share. Against this backdrop I am extremely encouraged by the performance of the business since acquisition.

"Our new management team has been fully integrated into the business and significant progress has already been made in reducing operating costs, growing revenues and improving customer service levels. I would like to thank all of our staff for their continued commitment in what has been a very challenging year and I look forward to delivering Fulcrum back to profitability and future success."

z

[zeppo] 08/7/2011 09:26

I am content to hold long term.

z

[greg the grinch] 08/7/2011 08:40

mmm....loads of money in the bank until profitability...admin costs down.....low margin work soon to be finished...sales growth...30% workforce slashed.

I reckon that means a profit! :o)
Expecting a good rise over next couple of years as all the cost cutting measures come through for a m.bagger.

[zeppo] 07/7/2011 11:42

Up today.

Still ahead of imminent results.

Added.

z

[zeppo] 28/6/2011 11:39

Got out of NWG early and added some of these and other rising water companies.

Results week beginning 11th July at latest.

z

[zeppo] 23/6/2011 11:01

Full Year results within three weeks.

z

[zeppo] 21/6/2011 15:47

Topped up on weakness.

Full Year Results soon.


z